Messages

121

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Cyperus albomarginata 'Starburst'

« on: November 29, 2006, 08:26:41 AM »

Neat!  I'll be looking forward to this!

122

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Datura

« on: November 10, 2006, 08:16:56 AM »

I've had similar experience growing Datura seed as koi boi.  It is very slow to germinate and has a pretty low germ %.  But there are usually tons of seed in each pod.  I save seed from my plants every year...even here in Iowa.  The seeds are usually tan, so they may not be mature, but they grow...eventually.  I start them in late Feb. - early March.

Possibly the problem getting Brugs to bloom is that they usually only bloom after the stems Y...or branch.  It can take a small cutting a while to reach that stage.  Even then, they bloom in flushes.  If I'm luck, I might get 2 flushes of flowers during the summer with the plant covered with huge flowers and sometimes a smaller flush in the greenhouse during the winter.

123

Pond Chat / Re: My Brag: WGI Story

« on: November 03, 2006, 11:03:46 AM »

That has to be an awesome view, Joyce!

124

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Fall plant question

« on: November 01, 2006, 07:33:06 AM »

If you pile leaves over the pots after they freeze up, they probably will be ok where you have them.  Just be sure they won't get run off from the roof...you don't want them to get soggy.

To be on the safe side, though, if you only have a couple I would do as Teresa suggested and sink pot and all into the ground.

125

WWWG Web Forum Awards / Re: The Member of the Day for October 30, 2006

« on: October 31, 2006, 07:21:22 AM »

Gosh, no more active than I am I didn't expect this...thank you!

126

Pond Chat / Re: New Pond Plant

« on: October 20, 2006, 08:53:07 AM »

Orange would be a fun hange from the standard yellow and white Snowflakes.  I hope it propagates quickly for you, Craig!

Teresa, Snowflakes are fairly shade tolerant.  They may be worth a try.

127

Pond Chat / Re: Recommended Pond Plant

« on: October 20, 2006, 08:48:00 AM »

Pacific NorthWest, in Washington

I'm talk north...where we have real winters    The PNW has a much longer growing season than here in the Midwest.

128

Pond Chat / Re: Recommended Pond Plant

« on: October 19, 2006, 08:04:12 AM »

In looking this plant up, it is listed as a fall bloomer.  Do you think there is much chance that it would have time to bloom in the north?

129

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Is Woodland Phlox delicate?

« on: October 08, 2006, 07:52:22 AM »

Good luck!  It is a nice splash of color first thing in the spring.  I'd like to try the variegated form.

130

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Is Woodland Phlox delicate?

« on: October 07, 2006, 07:57:39 AM »

I wouldn't call Phlox divaricata a pest, but it does spread around a bit.  I never find any plants among the Sweet Woodruff or Wild Ginger, though, so that leads me to think that it could easily be smothered.  Still, not a delicate plant...not sure about the variegated form, though.

131

Pond Chat / Re: My first time repotting lilies

« on: September 29, 2006, 08:00:09 AM »

Looks like you did fine.  My only suggestion for next time would be to mix your compost with some heavy soil.  Sometimes lilies don't like to root into pure compost.

Also, next time get some cheap plastic dish pans.  They are shallow and wide, but much sturdier than those liners you used.

Those little round tubers from the tropical will probably all sprout...you'll have a pot full of lilies!

The plant that is growing horizontally is a hardy lily.

132

Pond Chat / Re: Evil string algae

« on: September 28, 2006, 07:49:54 AM »

Yes, that is the stuff, Karen.  I've heard that it is some kind of salt, but I don't know for sure.  The ingredients are a guarded secret, I guess.  All I do know is that I have a number of customers who use it religiously and swear by it.  Like I said, though, I don't know how it affects turtles.

133

Pond Chat / Re: Evil string algae

« on: September 25, 2006, 11:42:43 AM »

You are right, Cindi...it is dependent on the water temp.  The cooler the water, the longer it takes to begin to break down.

Also keep in mind that barley only slows the growth of string algae.  It will not eliminate what is already in the pond.

Pond Balance will get rid of the string algae quickly...within a few days.  It is fish and plant safe.  Not sure about turtles.

I like John's idea the best.  Get some more plants going in the skippy and at the very least, they will hide the algae.  Try to get some mint...it will cover and hide anything 

134

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: anyone know where I could find these hosta'?s

« on: September 19, 2006, 07:23:16 AM »

Yes, he does.  A coffee table-type book, from what I hear.  Not sure when it is supposed to be out...it's been "coming" for a year +.  Mark's first book, The Hosta Handbook, is now out of print and goes for big $$ on ebay.  Snatch it up, if you ever find it cheap!

But, neither are a replacement for the Hosta Finder.  The Finder is nothing but hosta names, prices, and sources.  Mark's book will have pictures and (probably) information.

The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas is another recent book with lots of great pictures.  It is written from an English climate perspective, though.

135

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: anyone know where I could find these hosta'?s

« on: September 16, 2006, 07:39:58 AM »

Yes.  It is a spiral bound book that is published every year...usually about March.  I'd probably wait and get the new one, now.  It will have the 2007 sources and prices.

136

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: anyone know where I could find these hosta'?s

« on: September 13, 2006, 08:43:24 AM »

Unfortunately, unless you find someone willing to trade, you probably won't find a lot of these for cheap.  Most of these will only be found at a hosta nursery. 

These especially are going to be difficult to find and definitely not cheap...

*Allen C. Haskell
*Gertie
*Abba Windows...a Paul Aden intro...many of his plants are hard to find.  I've neever seen this offered anywhere.
*Abba Satellite...ditto
*Sandpaper...still under evaluation in the hybridizer's garden.
*Northern Mist
*Jim Matthews...Naylor Creek has had this in the past...www.naylorcreek.com
*Fuchsia Frenzy...www.foosf.org...look under Ron
*Free parking...an Alex Malloy intro...probably not available.
*Dancing in the Moon...can't find any reference to this plant.  Could you mean 'Dancing in the Rain'?
*Marbled Cream
*Kiwi Forest
*Lakeside Knickknack
*Regalia
*Little Jim


These should be more attainable...you need a Hosta Finder, if you are serious about getting into hostas!

*Chantilly Lace
*Lakeside Party Dress
*White Wall Tires...www.plantdelights.com
*Ani Machi...formerly known as Geisha
*Calypso
*Chelsea Babe
*Emerald Necklace
*Flame Stitch...I would save my money on this one.  Very difficult to grow.
*White Christmas...same with this one.
*Jonesii...www.plantdelights.com
*Choke Nishiki...same as On Stage
*Orphan Annie
*Neat Splash
*Shere Khan
*Sieboldii Kabitan...or just Kabitan.  Same thing.
*Shiro Kabitan
*Gemini Moon


*Spritzer Sport...not sure where you saw this, but it is not a valid hosta name.  Likely a sport someone found and labled it as such.

137

Pond Chat / Re: Thoughts on the new Thermoplanter pots?

« on: August 26, 2006, 07:59:41 AM »

I think it is a great idea!  My concern is cost.  If the pot isn't pretty reasonably priced, I'm not sure the consumer will want to spend even more money just to get another month of enjoyment out of a tropical.  It may be more popular in areas where tropicals are borderline hardy and this will let them survive.

138

Pond Chat / Re: Need Filter Advise

« on: August 17, 2006, 09:32:27 AM »

I tell all my customers to get rid of the little foam filter and get a mesh pump basket or wrap the whole pump in a sheet of foam filter media.  Then it is only a monthly task to wrinse off the basket/foam...not a daily chore to clean the clogged foam block.

To be honest with you, other than the pump basket to keep large debris out of the pump, I wouldn't bother with any other filters.  Unless your pond is over stocked with fish, you should be able to reach a balance with plants alone.

I find it odd that you have both green water and string algae.  Usually you will have one or the other and string algae will usually clear your water.

My other concern is the "oil slick"...something is going on!  Is there something dead on the bottom of your pond?  How often and how much are you feeding the fish?  Are you using any chemicals?  Can run off water get in your pond?